Update 01/02/17 – This post is about knitting a toe that doesn’t use Kitchener Stitch. You can adapt it to the pattern you’re currently using by starting working on it when the foot of your sock is about 2″/5cm less than your desired foot length. If you’ve finished a toe that needs Kitchener stitch and don’t want to frog back 2″/5cm, I don’t have a post to tell you how to that – although you could just cast off and sew it up – but I do have a picture tutorial that might help you with Kitchener stitch here.

Original Post…

In my quest to explore different ways to knit socks, I decided to work a round toe on the socks that I’m knitting for the No Nylon Sock KAL. A round toe is simple to work and involves no Kitchener stitch.

Working a round toe:

The decreasing for a round toe takes up about 2″/2.5cm of the foot length when knitting with 4ply/sock yarn, so start working on it when you’re 2″/2.5cm short of your desired foot length.

To create a round toe, the number of stitches you have needs to be divisible by 8. If it isn’t, decrease the appropriate number, evenly around the foot, before you start the toe, to bring them to a number divisible by 8.

Divide your total number of stitches by 8 – let’s call the answer you get X.

X is the number of stitch markers you’ll need.

Set up round: [K8, place marker] around.

Round one: [K6, k2tog] around.

Knit 6 rows.

Next round: [K5, k2tog] around.

Knit 5 rounds.

Next round: [K4, k2tog] around

Knit 4 rounds.

Next row: [K3, k2tog] around.

Knit 3 rounds.

Next row: [K2, k2tog] around

Knit 2 rounds.

Next round: [K1, k2tog] around.

You’ve probably noticed the number of knit rounds decreases by one after each decrease row and is equal to the number of stitches knitted in the previous decrease row before the decrease. I mention that, because that knowledge may make it easier for you to keep track where you are. But then again, it might not.

Next round: Knit removing markers as you go.

Next round: [K2tog] around. If this leaves too big an opening work one more round of [k2tog] around.

interesting method! I do hate top down socks because of the Kitchener…so I might try these someday. As for how they look on, I think they look fine. And the toe is mostly in the shoe, so the real thing is how do they feel? Does the gathered end feel lumpy?

It would be a bit more complicated, but I wonder if the part you don’t like would be disguised if you kept knitting your pattern while you decreased?

The gathered end didn’t feel lumpy with a try on – but I haven’t knitted the other sock yet, so they haven’t had a proper try yet. Nice idea about keeping the pattern going – I’ll have a think about how that might work. Thank you. Have a great weekend.

I’m with Salpal on this Bekki, the important thing being how it feels. I’ve got a top down sock book due any day and have no idea about kitchener stitch……… your method makes immediate sense to me, so may well be resorted to. 🙂

Have fun with your new book and do give Kitchener stitch a go too – it’s no big deal once you get the rhythm too it, but I know some people absolutely hate it and not only do we all have things like that, I see no reason not to use an alternative if you really don’t like doing something..

For the two pairs of socks I’ve made I used Judy’s Magic Cast On and the magic loop for toe up socks. This gave me lovely toes. If I get round to knitting another pair I’ll only ever use this method as the results were so good. I used this tute and followed it to the letter http://heidibearscreative.blogspot.fr/2011/10/two-socks-at-time-on-one-circular.html
I know you use the Magic Loop but have you tried this toe up, two at a time method at all?

No, I’ve never knitted toe up – but it’s going to happen very soon. I want to do this pattern the other way up and see what it looks like – if you get what I mean. I had had a brief look at Judy’s magic cast on, so thanks for link and the reminder. I might try a traditional cast on first though to compare with it.

As someone who has a totally irrational dislike of the kitchener stitch its great to know there is an alternative! I don’t know why I dread it as it’s fine once you get into the swing of it…I think it looks good but I agree with the comments, maybe if you continued to work in pattern it would blend the decreases so they wouldn’t be so obvious on the toe. Thanks for sharing this!

Though I’ve never knitted socks, I’ve heard knitters saying that Kitchener stitch is the one to use. It’s always interesting to try new methods, and your sock looks good! I don’t think the decreased stitches look as unsightly as you think they do, and it does seem an easy method.

Thank you. It is an easy toe, but I’d urge everyone to try Kitchener stitch. It’s nowhere near as hard as it looks at first sight and does give the best finish. And once you get your rhythm it’s pretty easy.

I did the round toe last time but have decided to give the kitchener another bash on this pair and that’s is where they have been sitting for the last few days. Waiting for me to pluck up the courage to face kitchener again!! 😉

Go for it. Will be easier the second time. I just need peace and quiet when I do it, so I can get a good rhythm with the stitches. Look forward to seeing it. Hope all ok. Haven’t seen you post for a while xx

Yes, we’re OK, thanks for asking 😊. Things just seem to be so busy atm, I think that Abz working shifts makes a big difference, especially as she is now mostly doing 8-8 three days week so she is home a lot more. It’s lovely and it’s great doing things together but it means less time for other things 😃. I seem to have been extra tired lately too but I went to the lupus clinic in London yesterday so I’m hoping things will pick up with a change of meds! Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. xx

Sorry to hear about being extra tired – hope the new meds help. But great to hear you’re absence is down to spending more time with Abbey – there couldn’t be a better reason and that’s absolutely the way it should be 🙂 But of course you know that already xxx

Hi Bekki! Alexandknits guided me over here because I was talking about avoiding the kitchener stitch and doing a Star toe. It’s similar to a round toe but you only decrease at the sides – maybe you would like the look of that more because it will be smooth on the top. Your sock knitting looks great, as always! 🙂

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